DBMM For The Befuddled – Part 17

Amongst my late medieval armies I have both Polish and Lithuanian armies.  One of the more interesting options available to both armies is the inclusion of War Wagons (WWg in DBMM speak); irregular and regular variants respectively.

Learning to use these properly has been a voyage of discovery so I thought I’d share some notes to aid the Befuddled.  Before that here’s some 15 mm Hussite War Wagons from the brush of Jason Dawson:



As always this is intended to cover the core of the rules not every nuance.  This means that if you plan on using WWg (X) or (S) be sure to check the rules for their “special talents”:

Basics

ME value	2 ME for all expect X which are 0 ME.
Movement	160 paces (8 cm in 15 mm scale).
Terrain	Can’t move or deploy in Difficult Going.

Moving As A Single Element

Base PIP cost	2 PIPs for each march or tactical move.
Allowed	Straight ahead
	Pivot less than 90 degrees.
	About face for a minimum of 3 PIPs.
Forbidden	Sideways or backwards.

From the above it’s quite clear that irregular war wagons are going to be a nightmare to manoeuvre once irregular ineptness is taken into account.  Not moving full will be bad enough for both types at a minimum of 3 PIPs.

Moving As Part Of A Group

PIP cost	+1 (group contains train element).
Allowed	Straight ahead.
	One wheel up to 90 degrees.
	Any number of wheels in column.
	Column formation (all types).
	Turn 90 from a straight column into a line.
	Column expansions but only if WWg moves directly ahead.
Forbidden	Column expansions requiring a shift sideways.

The last two items arise because column expansion must be accomplished “as if by single element moves”.

This looks like one of the least consistent parts of DBMM.  A WWg can’t turn 90 degrees as single element but can as part of a group changing formation.  >A WWg can’t move sideways as a single element but can as part of group when forming a column but not as part of a group during column expansion.  This merits a 5 star Befuddlement rating.

Moving Into Contact

Forbidden	Any move into contact.
Exceptions	WWg (S) contacting fortifications.
	WWg (X) contacting “troop elements”.

Distant Combat

Ineligible	If marched, fled, routed or wading.
Range	240 paces (12 cm in 15 mm scale).
Shoot from	Front or flank edge (not rear) if stationary.
	Flank edge if moved this bound.
Factors	+4 against all opponents.
	-1 if moved this bound.
Special	“Can’t recoil” penalty does not apply.

Close Combat

Fighting edges	Any - first contacted is front edge.
Factors	+4 against all opponents.
	-1 if moved this bound.
	-1 if in Rough Going.
Special	All overlaps (i.e. side edges only) ignored.
	“Can’t recoil” penalty does not apply.
	Single enemy attacking flank overlapped.
Gradings	Superior (S) troops +1 if they lose to WWg.

Combat Outcomes - WWg

Standard	No recoil if lost combat.
	Destroyed by Art.
	Destroyed if doubled.
Special	WWg (S) recoil if lost to troops with PF.
	WWg (I, O, S) destroyed by El.
	WWg (X) destroyed by Ps.

Combat Outcomes – Opponents

Lost	Bows	Destroyed.
	Light Horse	Recoil or repulsed.
	Others	Recoil.
Doubled	Cavalry	Repulsed.
	Psiloi	Flee.
	Light Horse	Spent.
	Others	Destroyed.

Having finished I have to say I’m surprised at the length and complexity of this guide but then it wouldn’t be DBMM if it were otherwise.

It has taken longer to finalise than I thought it would and I’d like to thank the guys on the DBMM Forum for helping me out with this. You know who you are.

Finally, don’t let this put you off using War Wagons they are a fun troop type to use.